Two Views: Deciphering the best forest-management practices

There are nearly as many theories about the best forest-management practices in Oregon as there are trees.

Despite claims to the contrary, a number of conservation practices are embraced by the timber industry because without them, soil and water resources would be lost, and there would be no way to maintain healthy, sustainable and productive forests for harvest.

But that's about where the similarities end. In a nutshell, the timber industry wants to harvest and environmental groups don't.

With fires raging in the West for a second consecutive summer, we asked both sides of the issue to weigh in.

We invited logging-centric experts from organizations such as the Oregon Forest Resources Council and environmental groups such as Oregon Wild, to share their thoughts.